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Le Mars Chamber reports membership growth, major events and $56,527 in façade grants for 2024
Summary
Laurie French, executive director of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, told the council the chamber grew membership, expanded events and distributed six façade grants totaling $56,527 in 2024.
Laurie French, executive director of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, told the Le Mars City Council the chamber finished 2024 with membership growth, increased volunteer activity and several successful community events, and that it awarded six façade grants totaling $56,527.
"We could not have accomplished all the things that we did last year without your support," French said, thanking the city and council for their partnership.
French said the chamber ended 2024 with 222 members, representing a gain of about 25 new members. The chamber introduced a new purpose and mission statement, rebranded some programming as "community copies" to emphasize networking and engagement, and reported higher attendance at signature events: it ran 55 community copies and 10 "after 5" networking events in 2024 and already had 38 community copies booked for 2025.
The chamber spearheaded or supported a range of local activities the director described as driving visitors and downtown activity: coordination of the farmers market’s move downtown, promotion of Ice Cream Days and Pioneer Village (which French said drew about 5,000 visitors from mid-September to December), participation in parades and holiday events, and record participation in a summer golf tournament with 62 teams.
French said the chamber’s volunteer base grew to more than 70 people and an ambassadors program expanded by 15 members. She said the chamber’s social media and website metrics rose, noting a Facebook follower count rise from 3,359 to 3,938 and monthly reach of roughly 23,000 people; she said the website had about 7,000 visitors in the year.
On business-support programming, the chamber distributed six façade grants totaling $56,527 and ran youth- and ag-focused educational events, including tours and an ag luncheon. French said the chamber maintains regular coordination with local committees and attends city council and design-committee meetings.
Council members and attendees thanked the chamber for its work. One council member raised a recurring complaint about Ice Cream Days parade length and crowding; French said the chamber is following the rules that are in place and that parade routing issues are coordinated with city authorities.
French concluded by thanking Mayor Jason and council members for the city’s financial support and partnership. No formal council action on chamber funding or grants was taken at the meeting.
